How Hydro Works

1. In order to convert the potential energy of water to electricity, waterpower facilities use either a natural drop in elevation like at Niagara Falls, or create a drop using dams.
2. The amount of electricity generated depends on the vertical distance the water falls and the volume of water.
3. Water from the river or reservoir behind the dam, flows in through an opening called the intake.
4. From the intake, water flows under pressure through a pipe called the penstock.
5. At the end of the penstock a turbine is located. The force of the water turns the blades of the turbine which then turns the shaft inside the turbine.
6. The shaft inside the turbine is connected to a generator, which generates electricity.
7. Once the water passes the turbine it flows through a draft tube out of the station and back into the river.

Source: Primer on the Technologies of Renewable Energy

Links

• Pollution Probe - Primer on the Technologies of Renewable Energy (PDF - Size: 6 Mb)
• British Hydropower Association - Hydro Basics
• Ontario Power Generation - How Hydroelectric Generation Works
• Foundation for Water & Energy Education - Walk Through a Hydroelectric Project